Vacuum cleaner



B. D. GOLDB ERG VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1936.

.IIA Ila' Sept. 22, 1936. Bt D, GOLDBERG 2,054,975I

' VACUUM CLEANER Filed Jan. 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY mfATToRNl-:Y

Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNI-TED', STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM CLEANER Benjamin D. Goldberg, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application January 17, 1935, Serial No. 2,166

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to pneumatic cleaning apparatus generally called vacuum cleaners and particularly to those capable of induction and eduction.

Heretofore vacuum cleaners have'been provided with means for blowing dust off exposed surfaces and the like but in allsuch commercial devices with which applicant is aware it is necessary to remove the bag or some other part of the cleaner and mount an attachment such as a nozzle preparatoryto the blowing operation. This takes time and imless great care is exercised dirt and dust are liable to fall out of the device. With such cleaners, it is also necessary to turn the devicearound as the dust exit on which the bag is mounted land on which the blowing nozzle has to be mounted is usually on the rear of the fan casing or directed toward the rear. y An object of the present invention is to overcome these diiliculties by providing a vacuum cleaner with blowing means in which the blowing nozzle is directed to the front orlelsewhere of the cleaner, and with simple means Within ,ready reach of the operator for converting the device from a dust collecting to an air blowing device.

'A further obect of the invention is to provide a device of this character that is simple, efficient, y"and compact in construction and positive in action.

The foregoing and other objects are accomplished by providing the fan casing of the cleaner with one exit for dust to pass to the bag, and with another opening in the casing for blowing air therethrough. A shutter is mounted on the outside of the fan casing for opening or closing said dust exit or blowing opening as desired. `An exterior knob attached to the shutter is provided for ready operation of the shutter.

The apparatus may be provided with a plurality of air entrances and a shutter mounted so as to block oil all but one of said entrances as desired.

'Ihe invention will be better understood from the description thereof to follow taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a vacuum cleaner having a horizontally disposed fan casing embodyingy one form of the invention, with parts shown in section.

CFigure 2 is a top plan view and section' of the fan and brush casings shown in Figure 1, with the motor casing removed.

Figure 3 is a disassembled perspective view of the fan casing and shutter shown in Figure 1.

-Figure 4 is a partial elevation and partial sectional view of another form of vacuum cleaner embodying another form of the invention.

Figure 5 is a top plan view and section of a ian casing of a vacuum cleaner embodying another form of the invention.

Figure 6 is a perspective View of a vacuum cleaner having a horizontally disposed motor casing and vertically disposed fan casing embodying my invention. u

Figure 7 is a side elevation partly in section of another form of the invention showing front and rear air sucking entrances. 15

The apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 includes an upper casing I0 for housing the motor (not shown) and a fan casing 38 to which the upper casing is fixed by a number of screws I2.

'Ihe lower casing II is formed into a lower chamber I3 and an upper chamber I4 separated by the wall 25.

A suction fan or blower I5 is positioned in fan casing 38 in the upper chamber I4 and is mounted on the lower end of the motor shaft. A driving pulley I6 is fixed to the extreme lower end of the motor shaft and extends into the lower chamber I3. Pulley I6 drives a belt I'I which in turn drives a brush I3 rotatably mounted in the forward end of the lower chamber I3.

The lower chamber is closed by a hinged bottom plate I'9'- which is yieldingly held in closed position by a latch 2Il and spring. pressed plunger 2|. The bottom plate I9 is formed with an 35 extension or finger piece 22 to facilitate opening for inspection, repair, etc. An opening 23 is provided in the forward end of the bottom plate I9 for the entrance of air and dust etc.

The chamber I4 into which the fan casing 38 40 enters includes an outer vertical wall 24 formed integrally with the casing II, an integral iloor portion 25 provided with a central opening 26. An opening 21 in the rear of the wall 24 leads to a nozzle 28 on which a dust bag 29 having a 45 handle 30 isremovably mounted.

'Ihe front of the wall 24 is also formed with an opening 3| leading to a nozzle portion 32 directed to the front of the casing and leading to the atmosphere.

An annular shutter member 33 is rotatably mounted in the chamber I4 inside the wall 24 and adjacent its innr surface. 'Ihis shutter is formed with an opening 34 adapted when in one position to align with the yrear opening 21 and formed with another opening 35 spaced therefrom and adaptedwhen in one position to align with the opening 3| in the front of the wall 24. A hand piece orA knob 36 adapted to extend through a slot 31 in the upper edge of the wall 24 facilitates movement of the shutter.

Mounted in the chamber I4 inside of the shutv ter 33 is an Vinner annular member or fan casing 38 having a oor 39 with a central opening 40 aligned with the opening 28 in the oor 25 of the chamber I4, and having spaced openings 4| and 42 adapted to align with the openings 21 and 3|, respectively, in the walls of the fan casing 38 and chamber I4. An inwardly projecting flange 43 is formed on the upper edge of the fan casing 38. A ring 44 may be interposed between the bottom of the motor casing I9 and the flange 43 of the fan casing 38.

In using the apparatus, if it is desired to use it as the ordinary vacuum cleaner to suck dust and dirt, the shutter 33 is moved by means of the knob 36 extending through the slot 31 so that its opening 34 registers with the opening 21 in the rear leading to the nozzle 28. The dust laden air will then pass to the dust bag 29 as is usual.

If however it is desired to use the apparatus for cleaning or drying by blowing, the shutter is partially rotated so that opening 35 registers with the opening 42 of the fan casing and the opening 3| in the front of the chamber I4 leading to the front nozzle 32. When the front openings leading to the front nozzle are aligned as aforesaid the body portion of the shutter 33 closes the rear openings leading to the rear nozzle 28 and opening 4I of the fan casing 38 shutting oi the air ow in this direction and directing it around to and out of the front nozzle.

The front blowing nozzle is also used when it is desired to use the apparatus for moth-proofing, fumigating or deodorizing, in which event it is not'necessary to take oi the dust bag, and the brush may or may not be removed depending upon the material used..A

Figure 4 shows a modiiied form of shutter and means for operating the same and is especially adapted for so-called floor vacuum cleaners as distinguished from portable hand vacuum cleaners, thel shutter 'operating means being designed for operation by the foot of the operator. In this form of the invention, the exit in the fan chamber leading to the front nozzle 40' is blocked by a vertical plate 4|' and the exit leading to the rear nozzle 42' is adapted to be blocked by a similar plate 43'. 'I'hese plates move between the walls of the fan casing 38and lower outer casing I I. The plates are suspended at the ends of a transverse bar 45 fulcrumed at the point 46 on the motor casing. The bar 45 may be moved about its pivot point by the foot of the operatorl if desired s'o that the.air drawn in at 41 may be blown out through l4Il or 42.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 5, the fan casing 50 .has a wall 5| with a restricted portion 52 at the rear and having a passage 53 therethrough Vleading to an integral extension or nozzle 54.y ,The rear nozzle supports a flexible hose or container 55 into which the air is directed.

Spaced fromlthe fan casing at one side is a y.wall 56 which with the adjacent wall of the casving forms an air passage 51. A lateral opening 58 in the restricted portion of the fancasing communicates with this passage. lThe wall ter- .l minates at its front end in a forward extension and this extension with a forward extension formed on the front of the main wall forms a tubular extension or nozzlel 59 directed toward the front of the apparatus. A tubular shutter 60 is formed with a flange portion 6| extending inwardly and blocking off about half the opening through the shutter. The restricted portion 52 at the point where the outer end of the shutter is positioned is provided with an inwardly` `extending ange 62 which flange blocks off one half of the passage through the restricted portion 52. The shutter 60 with its flange 6| is so positioned relative to the flange 62 that the shutter flange may be moved to block the `free passage in the restricted portion leading to the rear nozzle 54 as shown in Figure 5. This movement is facilitated by a knob 63 operable in a slot 64. When the passage is blocked to the rear nozzle, the direction of the flow of air is changed and passes through the lateral opening 58 and into the passage 51 and out through the front nozzle 59. Rotation of the shutter 60 will permit the air to pass therethrough to the rearl the apparatus is formed integrally at the top of the fan. casing. v

Air is sucked into the apparatus through openings in the bottom of the casing 15 and passes through the neck portion 16 into the fan chamber as will be understood. A handle 11 is provided for convenience in carrying the apparatus. A shutter as previously described actuated by a knob 18 determines whether air is discharged through 12 or 14. l Y The foregoing. embodiments of the invention relate to means for changing the direction of ow of the air, etc., out oi.' the apparatus proper into a container or into the atmosphere.

In Figure 'I there is illustrated a form of invention which changes the point of entrance of air etc. into the apparatus. In this form of the invention, there is an upper casing housing the motor and parts (not shown), a fan casing 8|, and a lower casing 82. The lower casing has a forwardly and downwardly extending portion 83 provided with bottom openings 84` for the entrance of air, etc.

The partition wall 85 has a central opening 86 and casing 8| isr provided with a rear dust exit or opening leading to a nozzle 81 for mounting a A dust bag vor container (not shown).

The rear of the lower casing is formed with an opening leading to a rear nozzle 89 on which may bemounted a flexible hosel or other device 1 if desired (not shown).

adapted to align with the opening leading to the rear nozzle 89. Means as above described may be provided to operate the shutter.

By reason oi' this construction, the air, mothtion of air leakage around the shutter by providing a fan casing 38 which is open to the shutter only through the openings 4I and 42. The shutter is located between the fan casing 38 land the wall 24 of the chamber I4 and has a sliding fit between these walls. In this way there isl no tendency for the thin shutter to get accidentally bent and cause objectionable leakage nor is there any tendency for air to leak around the top and bottom of the shutter as might occurif the fan casing 38 were not present.l

When the device of this invention is used for cleaning purposes, dust and dirt are sucked into the fan casing and then forced by the fan into the peripheral portion of the fan casing. 'I'his dust and dirt is revolving with the fan at a high speed forming a blast against the sides of the fan casing and is finally carried into the dust receptacle. If the shutter and its edges were exposed to this blast of dust and dirt particles, they would enter between the shutter edges and the sides of the inner and outer casings and destroy the effectiveness of the shutter.

It will beseen that the construction of this invention may be changed from a vacuum cleaner into an air blower quickly and while the device is held in the hand, without the necessity of removing the dust receptacle.

The guard means of the present invention for the protection of the curved edges of the shutter 33 toreduce any tendency' for air leakage'around .the curved edges of the shutter and between the shutter and' casing,V includes an air tight enclosure within the shutter formed by the inner casing 30 with its radial walls 39 and 43, which avoids any cracks through which air might leak contiguous the major portion of the curved edges of the shutter. .f

Prior art suggestions have contemplated an actuator extending out from the shutter through a slot in the casing wall, from a position about midway'between the curved edges of the shutter. An objection to such a construction is the diiliculty of attaching the actuator to the shutter after the shutter has been assembled in the casing. A shutter if thin, as is desirable, is not thick enough to have a tapped hole into which theactuator may be screwed. It is difilcult to rivet or weld the actuator to the shutter when the latter is within the casing. In event the actuator should break off, the priorv art vacuum cleaners have to be sent back to the factory and another actuator welded or riveted in place. Under the present invention these disadvantages have been`eliminated by attaching the actuator to the shutter before it is assembled in the casing. This is made possible by having the actuator attached to the shutter adjacent the upper edge oi' the shutter as shown 'in Fig. 3, and providing the casing with a peripheral slot which is open on one side to allow the shutter and actuator to be inserted in'the casing. The base ring of the motor casing closes the open side of the slot 31 as is illustrated in the drawing. In event the actuator 36 should break off from the shutter in the present construction it is only necessary to ship a new shutter to the customer or `to a service shop and it is not necessary to have the entire machine shipped back to the factory for repair.

'Ihe fan compressed air adjacent the peripheral portion of the casing is whirling with the fan. would tend to be ejected in a tangential direction. From Fig. 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the walls ofv the discharge nozzle at the front of the casing are converging. If the walls were substantially axial or straight the tangentially moving air would not have as much opportunity to be caught and compressed slightly by the walls as is the case where the walls on at least one side of the Anozzle adjacent th' fan and shutter are inclined or arranged to converge with respect to the other wall so as to assist in collecting and ejecting the whirling air. As used vin the appended claims the term converging" means that at least one of the walls of the nozzle should be inclined or arranged to converge with respect to its opposite wall, for at least a short distance adjacent the fan and shutter.

I claim:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising a supporting casing having a nozzle thereon and discharge openings communicating with the interior of the casing, a fan rotatable in said casing for creating air pressure within the peripheral portion of the casing, a pair of outlet passages in the peripheral portion of the casing arranged to discharge air in generally opposite directions out- .side the casing, slidable and curved shutter means for selectively opening one and closing pressed air'without cracks contiguous the majorA portion of the shutter edges vto protect the curved edges of said shutter means and precludeA the escape of fan compressed air outwardly around a curved edge and over a face-portion of said shutter means and to guard against'the deposit of dust particles between the shutter means and casing.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination an upright cylindrical supporting casing having a nozzle thereon and discharge openings communicating with the interior of the casing and having a central opening on the'bottom. a rotatable fan in said casing adapted to suck air through said opening and create pressure within the peripheral portion ofsaid casing, means for driving said fan, at least two passages leading 'through the peripheral portion of the said casing for the discharge of air, shutter means for selectively opening one and closing another of said passages, said shutter means being located ad- -Jacentl the peripheral wall of said casing and having bounding edges located within said casing, vand guard means located between the fan and shutter for protecting said edges of thel At any opening in the casing this air means, andl casing, said guard means forming an air tight enclosure without any crack adjacent the curved edges of said shutter means.

3. In a vacuum cleaner having a motor driven 1an, a supporting casing having a nozzle thereon and discharge openings communicating with the interior of the casing and provided with passages leading therefrom in different directions and enclosing said Ian, a curved shutter contiguous the inner peripheral portion 'of said casing for selectively opening one and closing the other of said passages, an actuator for said shutter extending through said casing for angularly shifting the shutter from outside the casing, and walls extending radially inward from said shutter and peripherally along the shutter onr each side of, said fan and forming an air tight enclosure without any crack contiguous the major portion of the shutter curved edges to prevent the escape of fan compressed air between the shutter and casing, said walls being structurally -independent of and in addition to said casing.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising a supporting casing having a nozzle thereon and discharge openings communicating with the interior of the casing, a fan in the casing, means for driving Athe fan, angularly spaced air discharge openings in the peripheral yportion of the casing, means for opening one and closing the other'ot said openings and preventing the escape of fan compressed air in any other than the intended direction, said last mentioned means including a perforate peripheral wall within said casing and adjacent the periphery thereof and provided with a radially extending wall on each side of said fan within the casing to reduce any tendency for fan compressed air to pass around either end portion of saidperforate peripheral wall, longitudinally of the fan axis.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination a motor, a Ian driven by the motor, a casing enclosing said fan, a suction chamber extending infront' of said casing and provided with an opening through which dust and air are adapted to bedrawn, means by which said vacuum cleaner may be supported in operation, an air discharge nozzle at the front f said casing to discharge air over the suction chamber, another .air discharge nozzle extending rearwardly from said casing and leading to a dust container, a shutter means in said casing selectively openingeither of said air discharge nozzles and closing the other, an actuator outside of saidl casing for ,moving said shutter means whereby the device while holding the vacuum cleaner by its supporting means and without changing the position of the vacuum cleaner relative to said supporting means, the air intake to the fan being through the suction chamber irrespective of the direction of air discharge from said casing, said shutter means extending around the inner periphery of the casing and a wall extending radially on each side of the fan from adjacent each end edge of the shutter means and providing an enclosure for fan compressed air without any crack contiguous the shutter means adjacent the major portion of its edges. I

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a supporting casing. having a nozzle thereon and discharge openings communicating with the interior of the casing, a fan therein, angularly spaced air discharge nozzles leading from said casing, a shutter controlling the discharge of air from said nozzles and located between said fan and the peripheral portion of the casing, an actuator secured to said shutter adjacent one peripheral edge thereof, a cut out portion at a corresponding edge of the casing periphery into which said actuator is placed, said shutter and actuator being adapted to be inserted in s'aid casing as a unit, and a removable wall extending across said cut out portion of the casing.

7. A vacuum cleaner comprising in combination a motor, a fan driven by the motor, a casing. enclosing said fan, a suction chamber extending in Ifront of said casing and provided with an opening through which dust and air are adapted to be drawn, means by which said vacuum cleaner maybe supported in operation, an air discharge nozzle at the front of said casing to discharge air over the suction chambexgsaid air discharge nozzle being provided with converging walls, another air discharge nozzle extending rearwardly from said casing and leading to a dust container, a shutter means in said casing selectively opening either of said air discharge nozzles and closing the other, an actuator outside of said casing for moving said shutter means whereby the device may be changed from a vacuum cleaner discharging rearwardly into the dust container, to a blower discharging air in front above the suction nozzle by movement of said actuator while holding the vacuum cleaner by its supporting means and without changing the positionI of the vacuum cleaner relative to said supporting means, the air intake to the fan being through the suction chamber irrespective of the direction of air discharge from the casing. l

BENJAMIN D. GOLDBERG. 

